Adjustable seat support



March 24, 1942. w. s. sAuNDERs 2,277,357

ADJUSTABLE SEATSUPPORT l Filed Jan. 17'? 1955 3 'sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR. Waler 5a anders la.

ATTORN YS March 24, 1942. w. s. sAuNDr-:Rs 2,277,357

ADJUSTABLE vSEAT SUPPORT Filed Jan. 17, 1955 s sheets-sheet 2 @46 47) ,y-J 2 l ATTORNEYS.

March 24, 1942. w, s.y sAuNDERs 2,277,357

ADJUSTABLE SEAT SUPPORT Filed Jan. 17, 1935 s sheets-sheet s l O O l c' 7a I INVENTOR.

Wler .azmdera ATTOR EY Patented Mar. 24, i942 ADJUSTABLE SEAT SUPPORT Walter S. Saunders, Pontiac, Mich., assignor to The American Forging and Socket Company, Pontiac, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application January 17, 1935, Serial No. 2,249

9 Claims. {((Cl. 155-14) This invention relates to adjustable supporting devices for seats and the like, and is particularly directed to the provision of improved supports for the seats of vehicles, although it will be recognxized as readily applicable to other and various uses where quick and convenient means are desired for adjusting the position of a supported object.

An important aim of the invention is the provision of an adjustable vehicle seat support of simpler and less expensive construction than those heretofore used, yet quickly and easily operable and of great strength.

A further object is the incorporation in such a device of improved latching means for holding the seat in desired positions, so constructed that its operation is not interfered with by any disalignment of the two ends of the seat which may result from the (frequently unavoidable) turning or cooking thereof. Such disalignment or cooking of the seat ends has been found in many constructions now in use to prevent or hamper operation of the latching means.

It is an object, also, to incorporate in such a seat support a latch construction possessing the aforementioned and other advantages, and constituting an advancement in the art by virtue of its simplicity of structure and operation.

Among important objects should also be mentioned the provision of improved means for controlling the operation of a plurality of such latches by means of a single operating agency of novel construction, so designed that if one of the latches `controlled thereby Works materially harder than another, the easier operating latch is first released, after which the entire working force is applied to releasing the more resistant latch, thereby reducing the manual effort necessary to release it to so great an extent as to permit easy operation thereof even if stuck by reason of turning or jamming of the seat as in the Way above mentioned.

A still further object is the provision, in combination with unitary controlling means for a plurality of such latches, of means permitting independent reengagement of the latches, so that in event one latch is for any reason held from engaging, the other may nevertheless close to lock the seat in position.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings illustrating preferred embodiments of my invention and wherein similar reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the several views.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic horizontal section of an automobile body of the socalled coach type, showing the seats and their arrangement in plan and indicating the positioning and manner of use of the improved adjustable supporting members constituting the subject matter of this invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the automobile body, partly broken away, also indicating the manner in which the seats are movable;

Figure 3 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 3 3 of Figure 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows, showing one form of my improved adjustable supporting device in side elevation;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan View corresponding to a horizontal section taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 3, showing the latching means used in conjunction with this form of the invention, partly broken away;

Figure 5 is a detailed vertical section taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 6 is a detailed vertical section taken substantially on the line 6--6 of Figure 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 'l is a view similar to Figure 3, showing in side elevation an adjustable support of somewhat modifled construction for a tiltable seat;

Figure 8 is a section taken substantially on the line 8-8 of Figure 7 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 9 is a plan view, partly broken away, of another modified construction adapted for use in conjunction with longer or sedan type seats;

Figure 10 is a sectional elevational view of the same corresponding to a vertical section taken substantially on the line Illl0 of Figure 9 and looking in the direction of the arrows, showing fragmentarily and in section the relative positioning of the seat and floorboards;

Figure 11 is a detailed section taken substantially on the line I I -I I of Figure 10 and looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the latchcontrolling means in side elevation;

Figure 12 is a rear elevational view of the latch-controlling means fragmentarilyshowing appurtenant parts in section;

Figure 13 is a perspective View of the latchcontrolling element removed from the seat, partly broken away and fragmentarily showing connecting means. v

Figure 14 is a plan view similar to Figure 9 of particularly another somewhat modified structural embodiment of the invention;

Figure l5 is a side elevation taken looking in the direction indicated by the arrow I5 of Figure 14;

Figure i6 is front elevation of the assembly taken looking in the direction indicated by the arrow i5 of Figure 14; and

Figure i7 is a perspective view of the remotecontrolled latching element.

Referring now to the drawings, reference character 20 designates the body oi an automobile, which is shown only conventionally since it forms no part of this invention and might obviously be of any type or style of construction. Within the body are arranged seats which, in the illustrative instance, since the bodyris of the coach type, comprise individual front seats 2i, 22, and a single larger rear seat 23 extending entirely across the back. This will be recognized as a conventional arrangement. In order to facilitate ingress and egress of passengers the front right seat 2| is preferably tiltable, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 2 (at 2i). The drivers seat 22 may or may not be similarly tiltable, as desired. In the present instance a non-tiltable drivers seat is shown in order to illustrate another application of my invention, but it will be understood that identical seats oi either type might be used in front.

If tiltable mounting of the drivers seat is not desired, its supporting means may be of the construction best shown in Figures 3 to 6 inclusive. As there indicated the support is furnished by two track and slide assemblies, generally designated lf3-2@ in Figure 1, and each comprising two main portions, a iiXed supporting or track section 25--25 secured to and upstanding from the floor 2 and a carriage section .3S slidable on the track and secured to the seat. As best shown in Figure 6 the track may be of T-section, the cross-head forming the top portion of the rail comprising a folded sheet metal portion E5 fitted over the vertical portion forming its support, to which it is secured by welding or any other suitable manner, while the base portion is of angle form with one plate secured to the door, as by bolts 26.

The carriage comprises a channel member 3E! of inverted U-form, having inbent bottom flanges 3l which underhang the head oi the T-shaped rail to prevent vertical displacement of the channel, in the manner shown in Figure 6.

The carriage is preferably supported -for free sliding movement upon anti-friction bearings, which may be of the construction also clearly shown in Figure 6. As there indicated each bearing may comprise a sleeve 33 forming a cylindrical outer race and of proper external diameter to hold the carriage channel member 33 in the desired shown position, between which and the supporting axle pin 35 may be arranged a plurality of rollers 3'! rendering the sleeve 33 freely rotatable on the pin. The supporting pin extends through the channel 3S and is held in place by means of its head 35 and suitable cooperating means such Vas a cotterpin 38, both located Voutside the channel.

The carriage channel member 39 is secured to the bottom of the seat 49 in any suitable manner, as by bolts 4|. Two of the roller bearing members just described may be employed to support each carriage channel, one near the forward and the other near the rear extremity thereof, as is indicated in Figure -3 lby the positioning of the ment.

been given like reierence numerals to those used roller pin heads 36) visible in that view. The sliding movement cf the seat may be restricted to desired limits by stops, as 252 formed integrally with the central vertical web 25 of the track assembly and projecting through and above the fiat top flange portion in suitable positions to block the travel of the carriage at selected extreme positions (Figures 3 and 6).

In conjunction with at least one of the units 5l-2li, in the present instance the unit i9, suitable latching means is also preferably provided for locking the carriage channel with relation to its supporting track member to enable securing the seat in desired positions. A dog cr detent member i3 is fast upon the rear extremity of a shaft l5 journaled in a bracket lil' secured to and projecting from the side of channel member 3U, and a forwardly extending laterally bent portion 46 of the shaft forms an operating handle by means of which the dog L53 may be turned to swing its nose portion Gil into and out of engagement with any one of a plurality of notches 49 formed in the edge of the top ange of track portion 25', a slot 5i being provided in the channel member through which the nose portion 44 of the dog may be projected into engagement with the notches 519. The dog is yieldaoly held in such engagement with the notches by means of a torsion spring 52 wrapped around the shaft 45 and bearing against the channel at one end while hooked over the dog at the other to force it toward the notches. It will be seen that by simply swinging the handle it upwardly the dog may be turned to retract the nose portion ifi from the notches di), thereby freeing the carriage for sliding movement, while when the handle is released the spring 52 relocks the device by forcing the portion of the dog into the nearest notch. The other track assembly, generally designated i9, may be snnilar except for the latching means, which may be eliminated.

In Figures 7 and 8 a somewhat modied construction is shown which enables tilting the scat as well as its adjustment by longitudinal move- In these figures equivalent portions have in the description of the first embodiment of Figures 1 to 6, diierentiated by the addition of the letter a to each. As shown, the track elements 25a are joined at their rear extremities by a combined support and cross-bar 55, while at their front extremities the track elements are pivotally connected to upstanding brackets 51 secured to the iioor 21o, as by bolts 25a, thus forming with the cross-bar a swinging frame which is free to tilt with the seat 2! as the latter is swung forwardly in the manner indicated at 2| in Figure 2, about the pin 5B by which the track elements are hinged to brackets 5l. The cooperating hinge element 55 provides the mechanical connection between the track and pintle 58 at this extremity of the frame.

Carriage channel members 3M are slidably carried by swingable track elements 25a, and anti-friction rollers generally designated 33a are interposed betwee the last mentioned elements. The rollers may be of similar construction to those previously described in connection with the first embodiment, their supporting and positioning pins being extended through the sides of the channel members 30a to hold them in place.

The overhanging flange portions Sia which project beneath the track elem-ents 25a similarly prevent separation of `the carriage and track elements, and by securing these members together against vertical separation provide means whereby when the seat is tilted the track elements and cross-bar 55 swing with the seat, leaving the oor unobstructed. It will of course be understood that similar latching means to that described in the first embodiment may also be provided for latching one or both carriage members against sliding movement to hold the seat in desired positions. Of the latching means only the operating handle 46a appears in the drawings of this embodiment, detailed description thereof being deemed unnecessarily repetitive.

It is frequently desirable, especially in connection with longer seats such as that shown at 23 in Figure l, to provide separate latching means for each carriage or other support, so that both ends of the seat are rigidly held against sliding movement. This prevents the cooking and jamming which commonly occur when a lock is provided at one end only. It is also desirable that, even though two latches be thus used, a single operating means be sor arranged as to enable simultaneous operaton of both latches by means of a single handle. Such arrangements whereby one handle operates two or more seat latches are not broadly new, but it has been found that where two latches are operated by a single control handle in conjunction with such adjustable seat supporting mechanisms, difculties arise by reason of the fact that the loads upon the two latches are often unequal, and that the seat is often, if not usually, moved by force applied at or near one end. Such unequal forces not only t-end to turn the seat slightly, to the extent permitted by whatever play may exist in the mechanism, thereby frequently causing the seat to jam and so interfering with its free slidability, but proper operation of the latches is prevented by reason of the fact that if one is held too tightly by such jamming or force, releasing the other also becomes impossible. It has also been found that if by such disalignment one is prevented from latching, both latches are held in released position, which is manifestly undesirable.

I have therefore provided in conjunction with the modifications shown in Figures 9 to 13 inclusive, improved latch-operating means so designed that whichever of the two latches is most easily retractable is rst released, and thereafter the full force applied to the handle acts upon the other more tightly held latch to release it, while when the handle is freed the separate units may relatch independently, so that one cannot be held unlatched by the other.

In the drawings and description of this modiication of my invention portions of the apparatus analogous to features already disclosed have been given similar reference characters distinguished by the addition of the character b to each. As shown in somewhat diagrammatic plan view Figure 9, two supporting element assemblies may be used. They are generally designated ISD-2Gb and arranged beneath and near opposite ends of the seat 23, while a single latch controlling element for controlling the operation of both is aixed by means of its supporting bracket d'lb centrally to the bottom of the seat in such manner that the operating handle 45h projects to a position enabling its convenient manipulation by occupants of the seat. The supporting track elements 25h may be of similar construction to those disclosed in connection with the rst described embodiment, and secured to and extending longitudinally of the floor 2lb. Similarly, the box like carriage channel elements 30h are freely rollable along the tracks on anti-frictionA rollers 33h. The track elements are shown secured to the floor by bolts 26h, and the carriage elements to the seat by bolts 4 Ib.

The detent notches 49D are similarly arranged along an edge of the flat, top portion of each track element, preferably along the opposite inwardly projecting edges of the two units, as shown in Figure 9. A latching dog as 13b is in this embodiment used for each carriage, the dogs, being formed of sheet metal and transversely slidable in transversely aligned slots (undesignated) in channel members 30h. A downwardly offset portion dib constitutes the locking portion of the dog and is arranged in horizontal alignment with the notched edge of the track, as shown in Figure l0, while the permissible movement of the dog is such that the portion Mb thereof may be slid into and out of engagement with the notches by horizontal movement. The outer end of each dog projects beyond the channel and carries a compression spring 52h trapped between an ab-uttment carried by the end of the dog and comprised in this instance by a pin 63, and the outer face of the channel. Since similar latching means is provided in conjunction with each supporting element releasable by inward sliding movement of the dogs, it will be seen that the central provision of means for drawing upon the connecting rods 64 attached to the dogs enables simultaneous operation of the two latches.

The latch-operating connecting rods or links 64 are hooked into suitable apertures (undesignated) in the projecting inner extremities of the dogs 43o and at their inner ends are pivotally connected, as by being hooked into suitable laterally extending apertures in, a rotatable crank element 65 formed of a sheet metal plate fast upon the inner end of shaft 45h. Such shaft is rotatable by the handle 46h to enable drawing upon the connecting rods to release the dogs, while when the handle is freed the springs B2b, assisted by the torsion spring 62 which acts upon the crank plate 65 to turn itin the same direction as the springs 52h tend to draw it, again force the dogs into engagement with the notches to lock the seat. It will be observed (Fig. 13) that the bracket 47h in which the operating shaft 45h is hung is not -merely apertured to rotatably support the shaft, but slotted in such manner that at the crank end, as at 466, the crank element 65 is free to move bodily toward and from either of the dog elements, the aperture 66 in the rear flange of the bracket being laterally elongated in the form of a slot to permit such lateral movement of the shaft 45h, while the front aperture B1 may be substantially round but of suflicient size to permit the shaft to rock in this manner during floating movement of the crank end.

It will be seen that as a result of this arrangement an equalizing action is provided, so that when the handle 45h is turned and the crank rocked, it tends to draw with equal force upon both connecting links, but that if either dog resists `releasing movement excessively, the crank plate may rock about the inner end of the rod connected thereto until it strikes the end of the slot 6B nearest that dog, continued turning of the crank releases the opposite dog, after which the full force applied to the handle is effective to draw upon the more resistant dog, thereby enabling easy releasing thereof under all circumstances. If after the seat has been slid to aV new position and handle 46h released to allow relooking of the seat, the latter is turned to any extent, as a result of which one dog is out of line with the next notch and so cannot enter it, the other dog is nevertheless free to enter the notch with which it is aligned, by virtue of the lost motion provided for the crank plate by the slot 6B. The seat is thus immediately locked in position by the one dog, while the next slight movement given the seat which moves it suiciently to align the other dog with one of the notches, such as is occasioned by any disturbance of the seats position caused by movement or the occupant of the vehicle, permits such dog to move into the notch without disturbing the already locked opposite dog.

In the modiiied construction shown in Figures 14-17 inclusive, the fixed supporting track of both the right and left units is formed of channeled sheet metal elements, as |25, |25', having their web portions secured together as by rivets |28, and formed with relatively narrow oppositely bent and aligned top flanges, providing the track portion, while similar but wider anges at the bottom of the assembly constitute feet by which it A may be secured to the floor or other support (unshown). The central web portions may be reenforced as by ribs |29.

Carried upon each such track portion is a carriage |36, 23e, of analogous construction to those previously described, similarly mounted as on anti-friction rollers generally designated |35. Latching notches as |49 may also be formed along the edges of the track flanges of both units in like fashion, and the latching of the carriage of the control or master unit, shown in the bottom or left hand position in Figure 14, may be effected in similar fashion to the latching of such unit in the embodiment rst described, by means of a latching dog |53 swingable into and out of engagement with the latching notches by means of a rockable shaft m by which the dog is carried, the shaft being mounted in a bracket |57 on the side of the carriage, and the shaft and dog being urged toward latched position by a torsion spring |52. The operating handle M5, formed integrally with the shaft |45, projects forwardly in stepped elevations and then laterally, as best shown in Figures l5 and 16, to a convenient position in iront and near one corner of the rest, which is diagrammatically indicated at |23.

The latching of the remote controlled unit is in this embodiment effected by means of an elongated dog 2&3 largely housed within the carriage 230, to the top web of which it is pivoted as on pivot pin 245, being limitedly swingable within because narrower than the distance between the side webs of the carriage. At its rear extremity the dog is provided with a downwardly and laterally bent end portion 'ID carrying a toothed extremity l2 and projecting through a slot (undesignated) in the carriage into releasable engagement with the latching notches in the track flange, the toothed extremity l2 and its supportn ing arm 'HJ being of course so proportioned that the tooth may be swung clear of the notches by swinging the dog element. The forward end of the dog element projects from the carriage and is provided with an upwardly bent coupling portion 258 in which is punched or otherwise suitably formed an elongated connecting slot YS.

A link element hill, shown as formed of folded sheet metal, couples a flattened and apertured portion 'I4 of control handle Hl to the coupling portion 24S of the remote end by the slot '|3.` Either dog may thus seat independently of the other in event of cooking of the seat or other interference with proper movement of one. A spring as 252 urges dog 2&3 toward latched position, being shown formed of spring wire and substantially straight, but bent at one end into an aperture 'I5 in the projecting forward end of the dog element, and at the other end suiiciently to project laterally through an aperture (undesignated) in the side of carriage 230 and continue beyond such aperture to abut the outside of the carriage. The tensioning of spring 252 of course urges dog 243 toward released position, while the connection with the handle |46 is such that full movement of the handle is operative to retract this as well as dog |43.

While it will be apparent that the illustrated embodiments of my invention herein disclosed are calculated to adequately fulfill the objects and advantages of the invention primarily stated, it is to be understood that the invention is susceptible to variation, modification and change within the spirit and scope of the subjoined claims.

What I claim is:

l. In combination with a seat, means for adjustably supporting the same, comprising a pair of laterally spaced substantially parallel track elements, a pair of carriage elements, one slidably supported on each track, movable in substantially simultaneous and parallel relation and adapted to support the seat, independent latching moans for locking each carriagey the latching means for the two carriages being movable in definitely related paths, a handle, a crank assembly having divergent crank portions rigid with relation to one another and actuabl-e as a unit by said handle, means connecting each of said crank portions with one of said actuating portions, means supporting said crank assembly with respect to the seat and permitting limited lateral movemeruL of said crank assembly with respect to said seat, whereby in event of sticking of either of the latching means, that one which is easier to release may be freed rst, whereafter the full el'lort applied to the handle is directed to freeing the other latching means, and whereby either of said latching means may move to locked position independently of the other.

2. In combination with a seat, means for adjustably supporting the same comprising a pair of spaced substantially parallel track elements, a carriage element slidably supported on each track and movable with and adapted to carry the seat, a pair of independent latching means, one for locking each carriage element, said latching means moving transversely of the tracks, means connected to both latching means for actuating the saine, said actuating means being carried by said seat and having portions movable transversely to operate said latching means, and lost motion connection between said operating means and seat.

3. Adjustable supporting means for a seat or "ie like comprising a track having a laterally lianged head portion serrated to provide a plurality of latching keeper portions, a carriage of inverted channel form movably carried by and projecting above the track, and latching means including a dog pivoted inside and to the top web of the carriage channel and having a portion swingable through the side of said channel and into and out of engagement with said latching keeper portions and a handle portion connected to said dog and extending from and beyond one end of the carriage channel.

4. Adjustable supporting means for a seat or the like comprising a pair of substantially parallel track elements, having a portion contoured to provide a plurality of latching keeper means, a carriage movably carried by each track, latching means for locking each carriage with respect to its supporting track including -a clogging member appurtenant each carriage and movable into and out of engagement with said latching keeper means, a common actuating member for both dogs, means supporting the actuating member with respect to the seat and permitting a limited bodily movement of the actuating member with at least one of said clogging members to enable movement of one clogging member independently of the other, and to enable limited movement of the actuating member independently of either of said dogs which may happen to clog or bind.

5. Adjustable supporting means for a seat or the like comprising a rail having a lateral top ilange, a carriage of inverted channel form adapted to serve as a seat support movably carried by the rail and having overbent free edge portions underhanging said flanged portion of the rail to prevent vertical separation of said rail and carriage members, said top flange of the rail being also serrated to provide latching keeper means, and latching means for securing the carriage against movement along the rail including a dogging member carried by and having a portion movable laterally of the carriage between the top ange of the rail and the top web of the carri-age channel, said dogging member also having -a laterally bent portion engageable With said serrated keeper portions.

6. Adjustable supporting means for a seat or the like comprising a rail having a top flange provided with latching irregularities forming a plurality of keeper portions along one edge thereof, a carriage of inverted channel form movably supported on and projecting above the top ange of the rail, and means for latching said carriage with respect to the rail comprising a dogging member carried by that portion of the carriage projecting above the rail head and having a portion movable laterally through at least one side web of the carriage channel and into and out of engagement with the latching irregularities.

7. Adjustable supporting means for a seat or the like comprising a rail having a top flange provided along one edge with a plurality of keeper abutment portions, a carriage of inverted channel form movably supported on and projected above the top ange of the rail, and means for latching said carriage with respect to the rail comprising a dogging member carried by and laterally slidable through the side webs of the carriage Ichannel below the top edge thereof and above the track, said clogging member having a down bent lug portion movable through one such side web and into and out of engagement with said abutment portions.

8. A sliding seat mounting comprising a track member adapted to be secured to a 'oor and a slidemember adapted to be secured to the bottom of a seat, said track being formed at its top with oppositely directed longitudinal flanges providing a bearing and guiding surface, one of said flanges having a longitudinal row of notches, said slide being of inverted channel-shaped cross-section and having inturned guide portions on the side Walls engaging the Aflanges of said track, bearing means between said track and slide spacing the same from each other, -a pair of registering opeings in the side walls of said slide aligned transversely of the space between said track and said slide, a latch bar extending across the space and movably supported in said openings and manually operated means for moving said latch bar into and out of engagement with selected ones of said notches.

9. In an adjustable seat including a supporting structure and a seat structure, means movably mounting said seat structure on said supporting structure including spaced downwardly opening channel-shaped members secured to said seat structure, each having registering openings in the opposite side Walls thereof, and spaced rails secured to said supporting structure and having portions thereof projecting into a respective channel member, said portions having latch engaging means therein, anti-friction means for slidably supporting said channel shaped members on said rails, and latch mechanism extending across the space between said channel members and mounted in said registering openings for movement transversely of said seat structure to engage with the latch eng-aging means of said rails for vlatching said seat in selected positions of relative sliding adjustment.

WALTER S. SAUNDERS. 

